kimbell1
Board Addict
Reged: 08/20/03
Posts: 309
Loc: Route 666, Painville, Texas 6...
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I was switched from Norco 10/325 (which is now a breakthough drug which I have never had in the past) to the Duragesic patch.
I take several showers a day since I have a high body temperature and it makes me fel more comfortable-especially in hot weather which we have in Texas. I am worried that the medicine and /or patch will come off from the showers. I have put the patches (I have only used 2) on my upper arm. I have used water proof medical tape to hold the patch down better.
My second question is how long (once the medication is in your system) does the patch normally start working? The first one semed to burn a few minutes after I put it on. I put the second one on the other arm and felt nothing. The first patch and second patch seemed to take about 8 hours to start working but it did work well. Will the time for the patch to work shorten?
My last question concerns a possible DUI. In the old days, driving drunk was what got you into trouble. Now perscription drugs can also be blamed. Even if you can 'handle' yourself for want of better words, does anyone using the patch worry that they might have to answer some nosey questions from a cop. Or what about being in an accident. Personally, I would rather medicate myself before going out, but the patch makes this impossible. I would like to try the time release oxy (can't remember the exact name (MS Cotin?) if I am going to the hassle of a class 2 drug. I am not complaining. My doctor is really great. He put me on the patch since I had been taking Avinza for 3 months at 120mgs and it was not working and he doesn't want to prescribe Oxy. I need him more than he needs me at this point.
Any comments are certainly welcomed.
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Paranoia is just hightened awareness.
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lespierce
Journeyman
Reged: 11/25/03
Posts: 56
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Hey, I am in the same position you are, and those are excellent questions, which I was planning to ask my Doctor. The other question is what to do if you get a fever, which will release more medication.
I just started my patch Friday morning at around 8 am, and I started feeling some relief Friday night around 10 pm. This is the first morning I can remmeber that I did not wake up in pain. The patch is working great for me, but the questions you bring up are all legitimate.
Can anyone shed some light on these questions?
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oldandwise
Enthusiast
Reged: 02/03/04
Posts: 201
Loc: ky
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The Duragenic patch is a sch 2 drug. Lots info available try Google. Here is one link www.duragesic.com/  WCS
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They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety" Ben Franklin
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STARCHILD007
Journeyman
Reged: 03/03/04
Posts: 72
Loc: EAST COAST
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THE PATCH IS DESIGNED TO BE WATER PROOF, AND TO RELEASE EXACTLY THE THE SAME DOSAGE OVER 72 HOURS WITH VERY LITTLE CHANGE. EVEN UNDER GENERAL CHANGES IN BODY TEMP. USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 3-4 HOURS FOR THE ABSORBTION TO PEEK, AND WILL CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER YOU REMOVE IT. HOPE TIS HELPS. )) 007
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goddard3
Stranger
Reged: 02/11/04
Posts: 20
Loc: Southeast
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I too have been on Duragesic patch for over a month now. First at 25mg which was not giving much releif so my doc changed to 50mg. If you put it on really good, by pressing with the palm of your hand and holding for 30seconds and making sure all edges are stuck good to your skin then showers wont effect it at all. I usually put mine on my forearm, not the top part but low side. I find it works quicker that way. Also when you remove it it takes 12 hrs to get out of your system. I just wasnt finding that on the 3rd day I was getting much releif so my doc now prescribes me to remove them after 48hrs. The patch peaks between 12 and 24 hrs, then slows down after that and I remove it and switch to another one at 48hrs. I too was first on the MS Contin durgs, Avinza, Kadian, all the morphine based drugs which were useless for me. The patch has been good for constant releif (Isuffer from chronic back pain, 2 herniated discs and degenerative disc disease) but I do still have breathrough pain which I take Lorcet 10/650 for. But I do find the patch much better than the morphine type drugs. My doctor has been thinking of switching me to methadone after this next month, a drug I know nothing about, I thought it was only for herion addiction, anyone able to offer info on that one.
Good luck to you with your patch.
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STARCHILD007
Journeyman
Reged: 03/03/04
Posts: 72
Loc: EAST COAST
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STAY AWAY FROM METHADONE!!!ITS NOT THAT GOOD A PAIN KILLER,AND THE WITHDRAWLS ARE VERY BAD AND LAST A VERY LONG TIME.( THATS JUS MY EXPERIENCE)
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night_shade
Threadhead
Reged: 08/26/03
Posts: 907
Loc: The State of Hockey
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Methadone is an excellent pain reliever (in my experience) and is also very inexpensive. It is the best choice for people with limited income and who do not have insurance.
My experience has been that people who are prescribed long-acting drugs like Duragesic, MSContin and methadone are probably not being given these for short-term pain episodes, but rather a life-long treatment for intractable pain. Therefore there isn't much concern for "getting off" these pain meds. I know I will require them for life and have been on a long-acting narcotic since I was 22. Nothing is going to change that. I simply don't worry about withdrawal as I have documentable painful degenerative issues which will NEVER improve. It's just life.
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Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity.
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